Keep bees, the easy way

‘Keeping’ native bees is as easy as providing shelter and access to adequate food and water.

Native bee species either nest in-ground or above-ground. Above-ground nesters look for preexisting cavities or create cavities in nature with mud or by burrowing in wood. A bee box provides the right size and shape cavities for some of our area’s most prolific native pollinators.

Drill holes 4 inches to 8 inches deep into the wood, depending on size of block. Leave at least a 1/2-inch back wall.

Paint or stain outside surfaces only (if desired).

Attach a roof to provide protection from weather elements.

Attach anchoring hardware.

Hang box.

How it works

Females gather food, roll it into a bundle and place it at back of the hole. Next, they lay an egg near the food bundle and then seal the section off. They repeat the process until several eggs are capped inside each cavity.

New bees emerge in spring. Bees continue to build nests and hatch new bees during the warm weather months. Bees are dormant during cold weather.